A 35-year-old man from Sydney, Arnaud Logan, has been charged with “malicious mischief” after allegedly attempting to break into a museum display in Scotland to access the historical Stone of Destiny. This incident occurred at the Perth Museum, situated around 50 kilometres north of Edinburgh. Logan supposedly tried to smash the protective glass casing of the ancient stone around 2pm local time on Saturday, July 12, 2025, while dressed in a kilt.
As a precautionary measure, visitors were evacuated from the museum, and an alert was posted on the museum’s website, stating, “Please be aware that The Stone of Destiny Experience is currently unavailable due to an earlier incident. Perth Museum remains open, and we look forward to seeing you soon.”
The Stone of Destiny, a 150-kilogram sandstone slab, has significant historical importance, having been utilised in the coronation of Scottish kings for centuries. Eyewitnesses reported that Logan claimed to be the leader of his clan and asserted his rightful claim to the throne, adding a peculiar twist to the incident.
Logan’s court appearance took place following this unusual attempt at accessing the stone. He has been remanded in custody until his next hearing, which is scheduled for the following week.
This event is just the latest chapter in the storied history of the Stone of Destiny, which has a tumultuous past. Originally taken from Scotland in the 13th century, the stone was placed in Westminster Abbey in London. In a daring move during the 1950s, four students from a Glasgow university successfully retrieved the stone and returned it to Scotland. Notably, it was a central symbol during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and was permanently returned to Scotland in the 1990s. Interestingly, it was loaned to London two years ago, where it lay beneath King Edward’s Chair as King Charles ascended to the throne.
As the case of Arnaud Logan unfolds, it highlights not only the enduring significance of the Stone of Destiny but also the ongoing fascination it holds, resulting in unexpected incidents such as this one.